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XBee 1mW Trace Antenna - Series 1 (802.15.4)

Description: This is the very popular 2.4GHz XBee module from Digi. These modules take the 802.15.4 stack (the basis for Zigbee) and wrap it into a simple to use serial command set. These modules allow very reliable and simple communication between microcontrollers, computers, systems, really anything with a serial port! Point to point and multi-point networks are supported.

Not sure which XBee module or accessory is right for you? Check out our XBee Buying Guide!

Note: If you are using these outside of the United States, please check with your local laws regarding radio communication.

No RF-way to solder on an antenna where there already is an antenna. Disrupts the impedance. There are XBee’s with u.FL connectors so you can plug in a coax going to a variety of antennas.

PCB antenna to me means antenna formed by copper traces on the XBee. That’s what’s talked about in the WRL-11215.
There is/was an XBee with a similar antenna, in the form of a (blue) silicon chip antenna that mounts on the PCB. That kind of chip antenna is widely used in WiFi and Bluetooth. The antenna has poor/negative gain and an irregular radiation pattern.
The PCB trace antenna is likely very similar to the chip antenna, but less costly.

The wire antenna, if you have the space, and if the XBee isn’t inside a ferrous metal box, is the best choice. If in an aluminum box- you may be surprised as to how RF-transparent aluminum is, vs. steel.

Transparent aluminum? Brings back memories of a Star Trek movie… In my experience, aluminum is a very effective RF shield. It is used in high power radios to isolate one section from another, for instance. However, if you have an enclosure with a cover which is poorly fitted, or one with too few screws to close the cover, it is possible that RF signals will be able to leak in/out.

To check the shielding effects that aluminum has, put a cellphone into a die-cast aluminum enclosure which has no openings, and call the cellphone. You won’t see a missed call displayed when you open the box up.

Make sure all your transmission rates match up properly. Sounds like there may be a baud rate that doesn’t match. Otherwise, try emailing techsupport@sparkfun dot com with your set up and examples of the data you’re getting back. They’ll be able to assist you further.

Does anyone know how noise/interference immune these modules are? I’m wondering if these 2.4gh modules would work onboard an RC plane operated from a 2.4gh transmitter. The RC plane transmitter is designed to be capable of interference free operation along side other RC transmitters of the same type but I’m not sure if these Xbee modules can also handle that environment. Anyone have any experience with this?

I had just updated the firmware on my XBee with the trace antenna while it was on the XBee Adapter Kit and using the Adafruit USB FTDI TTL-232 cable. The green LED was blinking before the update. After the update, the green light went out and now that particular XBee that was on it won’t work. I swapped out the XBees and the second one works with both adapters. What the heck happened?

Hi,
please i wanna know if i could build a zigbee mesh topology with those XBEE’s serie 1 cause i need to set up a wireless sensor netowrks and i have only nodes with this specifiation; (I mean XBee 1mW Trace Antenna - Series 1 (802.15.4) ) ??

I like series 1 radios better than Series 2 for mesh networks. You do however need to flash the radios to the XB24-DM firmware to use these in a mesh network. (Though if you are reading any zigbee only device or need ultra low power end nodes zigbee is the way to go.)

Hey, I bought a couple xbees from you and actually received two different ones…one being this model and one being the model that it replaced. I am trying to set up the XbeeSerialEcho tutorial you have but I can not get it to work. Are the two xbees compatible still?

Good for many to one configuration; but the sparkfun ordering and shipping is not reliable

XBee as product is excellent!!!! There is a learning curve involved to configure Xbee, once you know how to configure you are good. Not very clearly documented on xbee website that VREF is must if you want to use gpio as ADC.

I placed two orders, total of some 10 Xbee modules from spark fun. Their shipping and ordering system is not mission critical. The two day shipping I paid was not shipped on time. I have heard similar stories from many of my friends at work.

Easy serial wireless

Two nodes working out of the box as simple as plugging them in. They passed serial data without any additional configuration needed. Before you go playing in settings I’d strongly suggest testing them to see if your setup of other hardware is correct. Once you have them working then start playing with channels and addresses so you know any issues after that is your configuration. I’ve worked with numerous radio solutions and these by far are one of the easiest to use. The only real downside is the price, but with the ease of use saving time things balance out.

Total junk

Downloaded the XCTU program and configured two modules using the software and neither would talk… Nothing in the software works. set both PAN ID to the same number, set on to Cooridator and no way to set the second to Router. only have end point. I have three of these useless pieces of crap.

I finally got them to talk hit and miss.. Built a 0x17 Remote AT Command to turn on pin on two other XBEEs and worked when sending the frame through XCTU but send the same frame from an Adrunio it doesn’t work. The transmit light lights but no other XBEE acknowledge and nothing. Disconnect from the Ardunio and run the frame on XTCU and it works. I even look at the frames in XTCU that Ardunio is sending and it is EXACT to that I built and sent in XCTU that works.. Too many problems with this system to warrant its use..I plan on saving my money and moving on with things that work…

Hi,
I tested some modules in the new XCTU and everything was working well for me. I would recommend checking out some documentation on configuring the Xbees. It may be that you are making a mistake in your settings/configuration.

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